Wrong Wedding Cake - What To Do!?!

Decorating By Mahzooka Updated 30 Oct 2007 , 2:11am by 7yyrt

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Mahzooka Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 8:20pm
post #1 of 119

I was approached by my cousin at her wedding in SC with a surprising question. "You being a cake decorator - what would you do in my shoes. Our wedding cake that we just cut into was the wrong one!" I was shocked when she told me. They had a signed contract for a 3 tiered chocolate-kahlua cake with chocolate fudge filling. When they cut into it they were surprised to see it was a white cake with bavarian creme and raspberry fillings. NOT what they wanted and she was devastated. It was decorated correctly - but the wrong cake. It ruined the rest of her evening. What should she do - what should she demand from the decorator? I think she should get a bulk of her money back. She is also now stuck with an anniversary top part that isn't hers and doesn't want to be reminded of the big mistake from her wedding when they go to eat it a year from now. Opinions please so I can pass them on to her!

118 replies
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kelleym Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 8:38pm
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First of all, your cousin needs to get some perspective. The wrong flavor cake should not ruin her wedding reception. If she had a nice wedding and she is married to a wonderful man, she should not allow this one mistake to color her memories. Can you tell I'm a big Judge Judy fan? icon_wink.gif

Second of all, it was a mistake, and clearly a big one which the cake decorator is responsible for. She should approach the cake decorator politely and remind him/her of the contract (or if she is doing it by mail, send a copy of the contract). In my opinion, this warrants at least a 50% refund of the cake. The decorator may be horrified (as many of us would be) and offer a full refund. But your cousin did have a cake which was, I assume, beautiful enough to take photographs of, have a ceremonial cutting, and feed to her guests. It's not the end of the world. icon_smile.gif

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Brandonsmommy Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 9:08pm
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I would have her address it to the bakery since it was not what she ordered just if nothing else an FYI, for them to pay closer attention.

As far as it spoiling her reception. I can understand her being upset that all was not perfect in her eyes but as a bride that had MANY disappointing moments at her reception, 14 years ago, It's all in how it was handled. I didnt' have to handle it. Our Best Man and Maid of Hornor did. It's all a distant memory (except I still have the MIL icon_surprised.gif and she was part of the problem).

Have her contact Bakery and see what they can work out.
Sorry she had this to deal w/.

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GenGen Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 9:29pm
post #4 of 119

in my humble opinion yes she's entitled to a discount due to the mistake and its extent- but IT did not ruin her wedding/reception.. she left it ruin her mood/ and the occassion. maybe as part of the discount as for a new anniversary cake to be made up - in the flavors contracted and already paid for?

sorry ladies if i sound out of line. Not trying to honest.

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Teekakes Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 9:35pm
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Well, I'll tell you right now if that was me or my daughters cake I would be having a hissy fit and you can better bet there would be a refund of at least 50%. Sorry, but as a cake decorator I/me/we should know how critical the cake is to a wedding. It is the centerpiece for all to view at the reception--- one of the biggest moments for the bride and groom is cutting the cake and feeding it to each other---what if one or both of them or a close family member hates white cake and couldn't eat any of the cake?

Ya know, I understand that it is a cake but disagree completely that she has her perspective wrong here.....this bride has every reason to be upset and expect a refund. Putting things into perspective on your wedding day puts the cake right up there at the top IMO. No, it should not ruin her wedding reception by any means but I can see where it could justifiably put an unforgettable snaffoo in it.

She by all means needs to address the decorator with a kind and honest approach. No need to take someones head off when nothing can be changed, but, a definite right to be upset and let that be known.

Sorry guys but I am one of those people that has little, if any, tolerance for these kinds of mistakes. They are all to important for that one person on her most special day.

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beachcakes Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 9:36pm
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I agree with previous posters that she is entitled to a discount b/c of the wrong flavor. BUT she did have a nice cake to serve that was in the design they agreed on. Chances are, very few people even knew there was a mistake.

Just my opinion, but I can't understand how the wrong cake flavor can ruin someone's wedding day. It's not about the cake/flowers/weather/dress... it's about marrying the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. All the rest is just window dressing.

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jibbies Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 9:37pm
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The only way the wrong flavored cake could ruin your wedding reception if if you let it. I'm guessing it was beautiful (no mention of it not being) how much are the bride and groom going to eat anyway. The ceremonial piece and maybe one more, then its served to the guests. Unless its listed in the menu or there is a flavor directory on the cake table the guest aren't going to know any difference.
I agree the bakery should be notified and I hope someone took pictures of the inside otherwise its her word against the bakery. As a decorator I would be mortified and would want to know, so I could offer a partial refund. I hope the bride chooses to not let this devastate her.
There are many more important things in life than getting upset over a cake flavor

Jibbies

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MichelleM77 Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 9:45pm
post #8 of 119

Maybe the baker would be willing to recreate an anniversary cake for free on their anniversary. That way they get a fresh cake to enjoy. icon_smile.gif

I wonder where her kahlua and fudge cake went?

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Teekakes Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 9:45pm
post #9 of 119
Quote:
Originally Posted by beachcakes

I agree with previous posters that she is entitled to a discount b/c of the wrong flavor. BUT she did have a nice cake to serve that was in the design they agreed on. Chances are, very few people even knew there was a mistake.

Just my opinion, but I can't understand how the wrong cake flavor can ruin someone's wedding day. It's not about the cake/flowers/weather/dress... it's about marrying the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. All the rest is just window dressing.




Doesn't every little girl grow up wanting that fairytale wedding? And for those few lucky enough to have a nice wedding don't you think they want their dream to come true and be as perfect as hoped for? As the cake decorator I would be totally devastated if I was the one thing that kept the brides day from being totally perfect.
It doesn't matter what everyone else at the wedding knew and didn't know..........it was HER wedding, not theirs.

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sarahnichole975 Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 9:41pm
post #10 of 119

I've got to agree with those who've said, this shouldn't ruin her wedding day. Perhaps she had other issues as well and this was that icing on that proverbial cake. I get the disappointment and do feel she should get a refund, but NO WAY a cake would ruin the day I married the man I loved so much. I think it stinks, she should definitely address the situation, but she should remember what the day was all about to begin with. You didn't say, but it doesn't sound like it was poorly decorated, which is a bonus. At least she had a pretty cake to take pictures of. Trust me, a year from now when she's (hopefully) still in that marital bliss and celebrating that first big anniversary, they won't be worrying that the cake was wrong, they'll be laughing and just happy to be together.

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GenGen Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 9:51pm
post #11 of 119

true but to let a cake flavor ruin something as special as a wedding? she stated the cake was decorated as asked; but the flavor was mistaken. yes i'd be unhappy but i'd not let it ruin the festivities. unless it was something the bride or groom was allergic to- then yes- yes yes a fit would be thrown.

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Chef_Stef Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 9:44pm
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icon_surprised.gif wow. If it was decorated correctly, then that's good, right? I was mortified at first, thinking that another decorator baked and decorated the entirely wrong cake. I've had nightmares about that, myself--what if I show up to a red and black Friday wedding with the pool blue and canary yellow cake for Saturday?! icon_redface.gificon_surprised.gif

First thing that comes to mind is that if there was a difference is price per serving for the cake she ordered and the cake she got, she's definitely owed a refund there. Beyond that...no idea.

I'm sitting here thinking, if this was me, I'm pretty laid back, and if the cake was decorated correctly and tasted great anyway, matched the wedding, and we ate it, I'd have been like *shrug* whatever, then let the bakery know, and asked for the difference back if there was a pricing difference. To have let white cake instead of chocolate cake ruin her entire wedding day is, well, a bit dramatic...Most people I know would have let that go down as a "Let me tell you a funny story about our reception" story and left it at that.

Then I got thinking, Of course, on the other hand, if you went to a fine gourmet restaurant (or catered function) and ordered a gourmet meal (or catered menu), only to be served something entirely different (however delicious), what would your response be? And how would the restaurant (or caterer) be expected to fix the error? Free food? Full refund? Forty lashes and a public apology? hmm

I'll be interested to see what the rest of everyone has to say on this one...especially caterer/decorators

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indydebi Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 9:54pm
post #13 of 119

I've done that. icon_redface.gif

I was ready to show the bride and groom how to do their first cut, like I always do, and she said,"The bottom is white and the middle is chocolate, right?" I was mortified to tell her, "omg, I made it all white!" She was very nice and said not to worry about it and the wedding reception went on.

However, I sent her an email (that she read during her honeymoon) that even tho she said it was "ok", it was not ok with me. She didn't get what she ordered and it would make me feel better if she would accept a partial refund from me. She replied how very nice she thought that was and when she got back from the honeymoon, she popped over and I gave her a check.

But "ruined the wedding"? I dont' think so. Thank you, "Bridezilla TV Show", for making melodramatic the norm!

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Cakenicing4u Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 9:55pm
post #14 of 119

and to think that I get all stressed out over the ivory/cream/off-white/white mix-ups that I have had! Flavor is much worse an offense than using white instead of cream for the color........

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roxxxy_luvs_duff Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:07pm
post #15 of 119

I dont understand how something as silly as the wrong cake flavors can ruin a wedding. Its something most girls wait their whole lives for and something as trivial as cake flavors should never make her that upset that she doesnt have a good time at her wedding. Have fun at your wedding and maybe make sure to get a pciture of what the cake looked like inside and then take care of it after the wedding.

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cinderspritzer Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:10pm
post #16 of 119

did she marry the cake? no, but it sure sounds like she wanted to. she sounds over dramatic. offer her some money back, sure, but if she let it ruin her whole day, then she was prolly searching for a reason for it to be ruined anyway.

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lionladydi Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:04pm
post #17 of 119

I have mulled this over in my mind and tried looking at both sides of the situation. Worse things could have happened that would have really put a damper on the wedding but if I were in her shoes, I would be upset also. When you go through all there is to go through for a beautiful wedding, that might be the final straw of things that didn't go just according to plans.

I would definitely contact the decorator and she should be more than happy to refund part of the money and offer to do another anniversary cake. I, too, wonder what happened to the chocolate cake. icon_confused.gif

If they sat down to dinner expecting lobster and got pork chops, all hell would have broken loose with the caterer. Shouldn't be any different with the cake decorator.

JMO

Diane

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GenGen Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:17pm
post #18 of 119

i'd be upset too.. but a wedding is not centered around a cake despite what us cake lovers think icon_wink.gif hehe.. its around the bride and groom and their LOVING families. at least thats how it Should be.. guess i live in la la land?

eh what do i know lol hubby and i got married at a small chapel on christmas eve which is his grandmothers birthday as a surprise gift to his family. we had planned on having a wedding on our first anniversary to make up for not having the big event for everyone- but a bundle of joy interupted our financial plans icon_wink.gif but no one - and i mean no one was upset then nor today that there wasn't the big family gathering wedding with cake etc.. they were all thrilled we were married- ecstatic even - especially grandma on her bday lol

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step0nmi Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:18pm
post #19 of 119

I think she should definitely let the bakery/baker know about the mistake and maybe ask for a free recreation of the correct flavor for the anniversary.
If it was me I would be giving a slight refund but I think the cake was probably good, right!? I mean, people ate it?? I don't think she should've let it ruin her day but...sometimes that is really important to people!

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GenGen Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:20pm
post #20 of 119

right. from the original post it sounded like that it was decorated the right way; just the cake flavor and filling was mistaken- ok yes i agree i'd be upset about that too but not enough to ruin the entire event. i'd talk to the one who made the cake and ask for a discount and the anniversary cake to be made the way it was paid for.

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alfie Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:25pm
post #21 of 119

If the decorator made the cake then the culpability lies with the decorator. If the cake was made by the baker and then given to the decorator, then it will be the baker. Most decorators are NOT bakers and vice versa. I have met some splended decorators that do much better work than I do but couldn't bake a cake if you held a spatula to their neck.

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jen1977 Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:26pm
post #22 of 119

I'm sure there was probably a price difference in the flavor she ordered, and the flavor she received. That should be refunded, plus probably 50% of the rest. Can you imagine cutting into that first piece, expecting Kahlua and chocolate fidge, and getting white with raspberry? That smile for the picture could very easily turn to a look of surprise, confusion, or disappointment. What a fun picture that would be to have to remember the mistake forever! Ruin the entire wedding or reception? No! Ruin that moment of cutting your first piece of cake and feeding each other...For Sure!

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doughdough Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:26pm
post #23 of 119

I completely agree with those of you who think she should get at the very least a discount and a new anniversary topper in the right flavor. My guess is that the original cake got eaten, right?

Speaking as a happily married woman, I know how special wedding days are to brides. However, if something like the wrong cake flavor is going to set off a breakdown and "ruin" the entire wedding for a bride, then there is something else wrong entirely!

I will take this story and place it in my memory bank in the section "Things to Double Check Before Making Someone's Wedding Cake"! icon_razz.gif

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SugarFrosted Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:37pm
post #24 of 119
Quote:
Originally Posted by homecook

Then I got thinking, Of course, on the other hand, if you went to a fine gourmet restaurant (or catered function) and ordered a gourmet meal (or catered menu), only to be served something entirely different (however delicious), what would your response be? And how would the restaurant (or caterer) be expected to fix the error? Free food? Full refund? Forty lashes and a public apology? hmm

I'll be interested to see what the rest of everyone has to say on this one...especially caterer/decorators




I agree... the bakery needs to be notified and that the bride has a right to some compensation, because the cake was not what was ordered.

Also, since it appears that the bakery decorated the wrong cake, chances are that there is another bride with another wedding cake which was not what she ordered. The bakery obviously mixed up two separate orders, imo. Perhaps that other bride has already made waves and the bakery is expecting the cousin-bride to call. It's also possible they hoped that in the excitement of the wedding day, that the bride might "not have noticed" the cake was wrong...stranger things have happened. I'd be calling that bakery ASAP. jmho

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thecakemancan Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:39pm
post #25 of 119

Being a guy, and as of now, single, I might not look at it the same way as most who read this, but being a detail person, I would have to say that I would probably get really, really angry icon_mad.gificon_evil.gif with whoever was responsible and demand a large refund, especially if someone in the wedding party was allergic to that particular flavor.

However, I don't think I would let it ruin my day for very long, but certainly wouldn't want an anniversary cake that was the wrong flavor.

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Jocmom Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:39pm
post #26 of 119

It shouldn't have ruined her whole day, but she is due a partial refund. I give the brides my cell phone number and tell them to call me if they have ANY problem or questions at all. I had one call me - during the reception - to tell me that she loved the cake and to thank me again! icon_biggrin.gif

I would say your cousin is due a partial refund and a free anniversary cake.

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terrig007 Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:38pm
post #27 of 119

Yes, the bakery should be notified and should offer her a partial refund and give her the anniversary cake of her choice. I was 36 when I finally got married and had many, many, many years to dream of the kind of wedding I wanted. Something always goes wrong, (in my case my bouquet fell apart as I was going down the aisle with my father at the start of the wedding). Did I let it ruin my day no, I was getting married to the most wonderful man. Now, if only my m-i-l had gotten lost on the way to the wedding but that's another story.
Yes, there probably was a bride who got a different cake than what she wanted so chances are they probably already know of their mistake. If the cake was pretty, and was what she wanted, chances are the guests were in the dark about it.
Bakerbear, I did have a catered event and the wrong food showed up (they confused me with a bachelor party) so instead of mini-crab cakes and quiches I had ribs, chicken and hamburgers. I was on the horn and at the same time another call came in from the bachelor party. They offerred to switch the foods but we were about 2 hours apart. They gave us a 75% discount and the frufru party I was having to celebrate my friend's engagement became a beer and rib party instead. We still had a great time but I don't know about the bachelor party.

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weirkd Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:53pm
post #28 of 119

Unless the bride or groom was allergic to raspberries or thought they were unedible, I dont see that it could of ruined the wedding. She still got the cake pictures, and the feeding of the cake, blah,blah. Yes she is do some kind of refund but unless someone had to go to the hospital she should get over it. She should be happy that she married the man she loved and she had her friends and family there to share it. That is the purpose of a wedding in the first place. Anything after that is cake!!

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kathik Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 10:58pm
post #29 of 119

Well, I'm going to take the bride's side on this one. At first I thought maybe I was just getting overly obsessed with cakes so I thought I'd ask dh what he thought. Now, we couldn't afford a wedding cake, but a friend made us a lovely cake for our wedding (not tiered, etc) and we were extremely grateful, so I really thought he'd say, "oh brother, it's just cake", but he didn't.

I asked him how he would feel if years from now this happened at our daughter's reception (she's only 12). He said he would be livid and that he would expect a refund minus actual expenses and setup fees! Wedding cakes are big business, but they are business, and according to his perspective this is a breach of contract (accidental or not).

For those who think this bride is being overdramatic, consider two ideas.

First, we do not know why they chose this flavor. Maybe it was a sentimental choice. Maybe he proposed over dessert and the dessert was chocolate kalua cake. It would be very romantic to choose that as your wedding cake and it would be dissapointing to cut into something different.

Second, think about the costs involved in a wedding. The cake is usually a fairly expensive part of the wedding. It should be what you paid for. You choose a cake decorator/baker based on an expectation of professionalism. You pay a premium for it, you should get what you expect. What if you saved up for years (and some families do) in the hopes of giving your daughter her dream wedding. Most people can't afford a huge, expensive wedding. Maybe the cake was "the" thing they splurged on. If so, why shouldn't she be upset?

It doesn't matter if the bride or groom isn't allergic to the fillings. Personally I hate bavarian cream. I wouldn't even eat a bite for a photo because it would make me retch. We don't know whether they like the flavors the cake was or not. All we know is that the bride and groom chose a chocolate kalua cake, they paid for a chocolate kalua cake, they looked forward to a chocolate kalua cake, and they did not get a chocolate kalua cake. Yes, a year from now they MAY laugh about it and even at how upset she felt, but on her wedding day a bride is very emotional and has dreams and expectations, so I understand how dissapointed she felt.

And lastly, before I get off my soapbox, we often complain about how people don't take us seriously as cake decorators or balk at our prices. If we want people to take us seriously than we need to take their desires seriously. We really can't get mad at people who say, "well, it's only cake" and then turn around and say the same thing ourselves.

Getting off my soapbox now,
Kathi

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Cakepro Posted 22 Oct 2007 , 11:00pm
post #30 of 119

It's ridiculous to let the wrong flavor of cake "devastate" her or ruin the rest of her reception. Something else had to be going on if she was able to focus so much on the cake flavor.

She's due a partial refund and an anniversary tier with the correct flavor. Period. Hopefully someone will help her put it in perspective and encourage her to get over it.

Sherri

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